A long-serving Midlands councillor has drawn on his personal fight against cancer to spearhead a campaign for better local health services, earning a standing ovation from his peers.
Unanimous Backing for Local Care Vision
Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, leader of the Liberal Democrat groups at both Warwickshire County Council and Rugby Borough Council, received unanimous backing for his proposal to establish a formal Rugby health partnership agreement. The motion, passed on 28 December 2025, commits local authorities and the NHS to a principle where Rugby residents receive treatment "close to home, delivered with compassion and shaped by the community and the people's voice".
Having dedicated over three decades to public service, Cllr Roodhouse was recently granted the freedom of the county for his work. He chose to publicly share details of his own health battle to highlight systemic issues, though he has asked for his family's privacy to be respected beyond his disclosures.
"Is Okay Good Enough?" A Personal Journey Informs Policy
Roodhouse revealed he was asked to create a patient experience video for the NHS, titled 'Is okay good enough?', based on his own encounters. He described having to specifically request appointments in Rugby instead of being automatically directed to Coventry, a common experience for many locals.
"Some people have asked whether I would have brought this motion regardless of the journey I'm on – the answer to that has to be yes," stated Cllr Roodhouse. "My journey has shown me how vital, from day one, local and compassionate healthcare is."
He passionately argued that the current system often leaves residents feeling unheard, with their concerns vanishing into a "black hole" between Rugby and larger centres like Coventry. He stressed the motion was about people, not politics, and ensuring patient experiences are not ignored.
Shocking Case Highlights Communication Failures
To illustrate the urgent need for change, Roodhouse shared a shocking case from his constituency. A resident received a serious diagnosis via a letter and an NHS app without ever having seen a consultant or clinician in person. "That cannot be right," he asserted.
The approved motion now forms Rugby Borough Council's statement of intent. It will see the council write to the Integrated Health Board, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire Trust, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust, and Warwickshire County Council to develop the partnership.
A cross-party working group will be established, inviting health bodies and patient groups to join. The goals are clear: achieve local access to care where safe and practical, and ensure clear, respectful communication for patients.
Portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, Councillor Maggie O'Rourke, strongly supported the plan, echoing the call to end needless journeys to Coventry. "Jerry's own experience clearly demonstrates that unless you ask, you might not get that choice. That just isn't acceptable," she said, advocating for better communication about local services at the Hospital of St Cross.
Council leader Councillor Michael Moran confirmed the council would fund a dedicated health project manager to turn the plan into action.
In his concluding remarks, Cllr Roodhouse reflected on his own "okay" treatment, questioning if that should be the standard. "It boils down to listening, compassion and kindness... Just a few of the right words at the right time... makes that individual feel like they are a human being," he said, urging a collective effort to achieve better NHS services for all in Rugby.
